The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-04-22
CHAPTER III.
AT cHrRcH-rHE AooSrIr WALK.

Warren Stuart regarded the girl rs n
commonplace mortal. and Vet there
was something little more than COM
mon about her. He seldom saw her,
save at mealtime. when she came in to
wait upon the table. She knew a serv-
ants place. and kept it. She was mod
est almost to shyness, and seldom spoke.
never unless compelled to do so. Com
:monplaee as he supposed her to be. he
zone day thought he discerned a poetic
sadness in the large, dark blue eve,
as she stood like one in reverie. The
kitchen work at Stuart's was no very
small matter. and it required all her
time and energy TO accomplish her
part. She was nearly always busy, and
frequently when he saw that sad worn
face, and tired little form, he felt a
sympathy for her.
One evening after the days work
was done, he was passing the kitchen
where Helen would insist on stayiny.
and heard her engaged in an animated
conversation with her brother. 1t was
a simple conversation such as child
might understand about Heaven. Lit
tie Amos was asking his sister if he
should be relieved of his intirmities
there. and whether or not he would see
his mother and father. The answers of
the girl We're low and sweet. assuring
the little cripple that he would suffer no
pain there, and would meet those who
had gone before. Simple and common
place as the conversation was. it had
something about it which affected War
rem.
1t was Warren's intention to remain
at home during the summer. and early
in the fall seek location to enter into
the practice of his profession. 1t was
now the busy season for farmers, and
he did not meet many of his former
friends and acquaintance. The second
Sunday after his return was the day for
preaching in the Sandy Fork school
house. The Methodist had taken this
in one of their circuits. and sent
Rev. Allen Blaze. famous gospel
pounder" to preach there once month.
The schooi-house was about three
fourths of mile from Mr.. Stuart's and
down the creek known as Sandy Fork
1t was well hidden in the trees and the
road to it led through the forest. The
new preacher was very popular and his
audiences were always large. Not
unfrequently the school-house failed to
hold them and many stood outside at
the door and windows.
Peter Stair, the peddler. had been his
rounds and dropped in" at the Stu
arts the night before the Sunday on
which Mr.. Blaze was to preach.
You'd better go'n hear him." said
Peter to Warren. Hes a regular
.stormer, l tell We. He can make
things blaze, too. His sermons are all
wool, handmade and warranted no. to
fade. You can hear one on Sunday.
and it'll keep a ringin' through yer
ears all the rest o the week Just like
-one tune ut dance. Besides, some
times he fairly lifts Teller out o his
boots. He raises We so high We can
most git a bird >-eye view o the New
Jerusalem.
Warren consented to 90, and the
next morning the horses We're hitched
to the wagon. himself, his father and
mother and sister got in and drove OF
to the school-house. The other two
boys went on horseback. preferring a
gallop through the woods to the ease
and comfort of any wagon or carriage.
.'Why, helloa! Warren. how are you?"
said Mr.. Arnold, the moment he
.slighted from the wagon in front of the
school-house Mr.. Arnold dropped the
stick on which he was whiting to take
Warren's hand. He was man little
over medium height somewhat slender.
with sandy hair and whiskers, which
were only on his chin. and cropped
short.